Moistener



T. l.' BROWN June 4, 1935.

MOISTENER Filed Oct 23 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

T. l. BROWN June 4, 1935.

MOI STENER Filed Oct. 23, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N Mg ATTORNEY June 4, 1935. T. l. BROWN MOI STENER 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 23, 1931 INVENTOR fiomos (Frau/n.

ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES MOISTENER Thomas I. Brown, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor t William J. Pearson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 23, 1931, Serial No. 570,626

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in moisteners for parcel post machines and the like, such as is disclosed in a copending application Serial No. 367,106, entitled Parcel post weighing and stamp printing machine, filed May 29, 1929,

by William J. Pearson, designed for weighing parcel post packages and the like, and for printing metered prepaid stamps for the same.

More particularly my invention relates to the moistening and discharging of a stamp from such a machine, after having received the indicia.

An object of my invention is to provide a means of receiving the printed stamp from the printer, when severed into stamp length, and retaining the stamp in a position to be moistened and discharged manually by the operator.

An object of my invention is to provide a moistener wherein the stamps as presented may be properly moistened on the gummed side, and

wherein the moisture is presented to the gummed surface in sufiicient quantity to properly moisten, and to this end, I have provided 'a moistening roller which, when the moistener is operated, is

rotated prior to contacting the gummed surface, to present a wet surface for moistening; and for the purpose of moving the stamp through the moistener and discharging it, there is provided a friction roller which oscillates into a contacting position where it applies sufficient pressure toward the moistening roller, that the two rollers grip the stamp and propel it through the moistener onto the discharge plate; the two rollers being gear related, the forwarding'movements are synchronized and positive.

An object of my invention is to provide a delivery plate in the moistener wherein any excess moisture may be removed from the gummed surface by capillary attraction, leaving on the gummed area sufiicient moisture to properly soften the gum to the point of adhesion, and to this end, I have provided a discharge plate containing slots for the attraction and passage of the moistening fluid from the stamp to drain back into the moistener tank.

To the above and other objects my invention consists of the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter fully, clearly, and concisely described and definitely pointed out in my claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a parcel post machine including the moistener.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the portion of the parcel post machine illustrated in Fig. 1,

the viewbeing taken from the left side of Fig. 1 and showing the relation of the moistener to the numeral printer.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the moistene'r showing its relation to the base and the machine casing.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view from the left side of Fig. 3showing the parts of the moistener in positions they occupy upon completion of a moistening operation, the original position of the operating handle being shown in sub stantially vertical broken lines, the position of the handle at the time the pressure roller first contacts the moistening roller being shown in solid lines, and the final position of the handle at the completion of a moistening operation being shown in horizontal dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view partly in section taken from the right side of. the moistener shown in Fig. 3, and, i

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic elevational view'of the moistener from the right side of Fig. 3 showing the operation of the stop arm against the stops which limit the movement of the handle.

Referring to Fig. 2, the moistener unit A and the numeral printer unit B are mounted on the base plate I 0 of a parcel post machine. The moistener comprises a tank I lwith a base section l2 and a front plate l3, provided with an opening l4 through which liquid may be introduced into the objects to be moistened; the shaft I! is further provided, on one end, with a gear l9 meshing with a similar gear 20 mounted on a shaft 2| supported in the walls l5 and 16; the gear 20 meshes with and is driven by the drive gear wheel 22 mounted on a shaft 23, which is supported at one end by a hearing arm 24 and at its opposite end in a bearing 25 supported by a similar arm (not shown) attached to wall IS. The shaft 23 is shaped at one end to receive the removable crank handle 26 which is tensioned into position by spring 2'! Fig. 3. For the purposeof propelling the paper tape past the moistening point, and to apply pressure against the moistening roller I 8, I have provided a pressure roller 28 fixed upon a shaft 28, which is journaled in and carried by a rocking frame 30 loosely mounted on the shaft 23'. The frame 30 is tensioned toward an upright position by a spring 31; shaft 29 is provided on one end with a gear 32 which is constantly in mesh with the drive gear 22 and is rotated by the latter after the rocking of the handle 26 (to the right in Figs. 2 and 4) and the consequent clockwise turning movement of the shaft 23 has rocked the rocking frame 30 downwardly to bring the roller 28 into contact with the moistening roller I 8. In order that the rocking frame 30 may be thus carried downwardly with the shaft 23 in the initial rocking movement of that shaft, an arm 60 having at one end a collar 6| loosely surrounding the shaft 29 is provided at its opposite end with a split ring 62 frictionally embracing the shaft 23 and forming a friction slip ring or friction clutch for normally causing the.

rocking of shaft 29 and rocking frame 30 with the shaft 23.

For limiting the movement of the rocking frame 36, I have provided two stops 33 and 34, together with a stop member 35 freely rotatable about shaft 23, but rigidly attached to rocking frame 30. In Fig. 6 the stop member is shown at its normal rest position in solid lines, its opposite limit of movement being indicated by broken lines, the latter position corresponding to the lowermost position of the handle indicated in Fig. 4 by broken lines 36. The stop 33 (Fig. 6) limits the movements of the handle 26 and rocking frame 30 when they are returning to their original positions. During the return movement the handle26 has to travel through a greater angle than the rocking frame 3|], as it does in the course of the complete downward movement of these parts. The handle may be returned by the hand of the operator, the frame 33 traveling with it part of the way, until its farther movement is prevented by the engagement of stop 33 by stop member 35. If the operator releases the handle 26 it is returned by its spring 21, the rocking frame being simultaneously returned to the limit of its movement by its spring 3| (Fig. 4). Whether the parts are returned manually or by their respective springs: 21 and 3|, the difference in the angular'distances traveled is permitted by the slipping of the friction clutch 62, as in the case of the forward (downward) movement of these parts.

In Fig. 4 the upright dotted line position of the handle 26 represents its normal rest position, before it is operated; the upright full line position is its position after it has been movedto rock the rocking frame 30 a distance sufficient to. position the pressure roller 28 into contact with the moistening roller I8; the horizontal dotted line position 36 of the handle is its final position (limited byengagement of stop member 35 with stop 34), in which position the continued movement of the handle has, through gears 22 and 32, produced rotation of the pressure roller 28.

For draining from the gummed surface of. a stamp any excess or unnecessary amount of moisture, I have provided a discharge plate 31 which has slots 38, through which, when the stamp passes over the face of the plate 31, excess moisture will be withdrawn from the gummed surface by capillary attraction; when the slots accumulate sufficient moisture, its weight will overcome the capillary attraction and it will drain back into the tank The numeral printer B (Fig. 2) prints a stamp and forwards the paper tape into a receiving guide 39; at the completion of the forwarding movement a knife 40 operated by any suitable means (not shown) severs the printed stamp length from the paper strip; the stamp then reposes within the guide 39 until the operator moistens and discharges it by the operation of the moistener apparatus through manipulation of the handle 26.

The numeral printer B comprises a set of numeral printing wheels 4| which are actuated to be set up to printing position by means of rack bars 42 and other means (not shown) associated with and actuated by the keys of the keyboard 43 (see Figs. 1 and 2). A dating device 44 is removable for the insertion therein of interchangeable type for setting up dates, and an automatic serial numbering machine 45, with type wheels 46 similar in construction to the type wheels 4 l, are also incorporated in the numeral printer B. The various parts of the numeral printer, with their cover plates i! and 48, are supported in a frame 46 mounted on the base plate It).

For the purpose of providing a means to print a duplicate stamp, I have provided an inking device 49 in the form of a ribbon carriage and rewind, wherein the ribbon is wound upon the spindles 56 and 5| alternately as each spindle is wound with the complete length of ribbon; for the purpose of rewinding the ribbon automatically, I have provided a rewind mechanism 52 which is power driven by means not shown, and which automatically reverses upon reaching the end of the ribbon on either one of the spindles 56 and 5 I, and wherein the pressure exerted by the ribbon becoming taut, either from one or the other of the two spindles becoming jammed or tightened, or by reason of the ribbon reaching the end connected to either of the spindles, causes the reversing mechanism to be thrown over and to operate the winding mechanism in the opposite direction. For the purpose of receiving the duplicate printed tape length, I have provided the spindle 53 which is mechanically driven to wind up the paper tape as printed.

The complete machine in which my moistener unit is incorporated, as illustrated, includes in addition to the moistener unit and numeral printer a register unit C which comprises a set of meter wheels 54 having figures on their outer faces for visible reading of the amounts recorded therein, and a drive mechanism 55 actuated by means, not shown, through manipuation of the keyboard 43 (Figs. 1 and 2). The register, like the numeral printer, winding mechanism and other units and parts associated with my moistener, forms no part of the invention claimed in this application and is shown and referred to only in-a general way to illustrate the manner of arrangement of the moistener and its part in the operation of the complete machine.

Upon the completion of a printing operation a stamp has been printed by the numeral printer, conveyed past the printing point into the guide 39,, and severed from the strip by the knife M2; the duplicate tape is wound upon the spindle At the will of the operator and by operation of the handle 26, the stamp may now be moistened and delivered from the machine.

The operation of the handle 26 by the operator, and the consequent rotation of the drive gear wheels 22 and 26, rotates the moistening roller 58, thus presenting at the moistening zone freshly moistened area of the moistening roller |8 prior to the contacting of the guinmed surface of the stamp therewith. Co-incident with the operation of handle 26, which is secured to the shaft 23, to which is also secured the drive gear 22, the rocking of the shaft 23, through the agency of arm 53 secured to shaft 23 by friction slip ring 62 rocks the rocking frame 36 on shaft 23 in the direction of the movement of the handle 26, and as will appear from comparison of the recited elements as disclosed in Figs. 2 and 4, the rocking frame is rocked down until the'roller 28 contacts the roller l8, when the movement of the frame 30 neces-' sarily ceases but the shaft 23'is permitted, by slipping of ring 62 to continue its rocking movement; the continued rocking of shaft 23 by the rocking of handle 26 now results not only in continued rotation of gear wheel 22, but also in the rotation of gear wheel 32 and its shaft 29 on which is "mountedthe roller 28. The roller l8 normally revolving by means of gears 22, 20 and I9 during the operation ofthe handle in a downward direction, the paper tape is now gripped between the two oppositely rotating rollers, I8 and 20, and forwarded on to the discharge plate 31, meanwhile being moistened on its gummed surface, which is underneath in its passage through the moistener, the contact of the moistening roller I 8 thereby moistening'the gum of the stamp the required amount to make the gum adhesive.

As the moistened stamp lies upon the discharge plate 3 after its passage over the moistening roller IS, the slots 38 provide means for removing excess moisture from the moistened gummed area and the stamp is delivered to theoperator in a limp, pliablev and adhesive condition.

,While the form of mechanism here shown and described, is admirably adapted to fulfill the ob- J'ects primarily stated, it isto be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptibleof embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:,

1. A deviceadapted tomoisten a gummed surface including a moistening roller adapted to be partially immersed in a moistening fluid,a pressure roller,,a frame for supporting said pressure roller, and drive means connected to said moistening roller and to said pressure roller for rotating said moistening roller and rocking said frame toward said moistening roller to bring the pressure roller and moistening roller into contact.

2. A device adapted to moisten a gummed surface including a roller adapted to be partially immersed inamoistening fluid, a pressure roller, a frame supporting said pressure roller, and means for rocking said frame toward said first roller to bring the pressure roller and first roller into contact, and thereafter operative to produce rotation of said pressure roller.

3; A device adapted to moisten a gummed surface such as a postage stamp,,including a moistening roller, meansffor pressing the gummed surface to said moistening roller, comprising a second roller movably supported above the moistening roller, and drive means connected with said moistening roller and with said second'roller for rotating saidrnoistening roller and thereafter operative to move said second roller into position of contact withsaid moistening roller to press the intervening g'ummed'su'rface against the moistenin roller,

4. A device adapted to moisten an object having a gumined surface, including a moistening roller, a rocking frame, a pressure roller rotatably supported on said rocking frame, and drive means between said pressure roller and said moistening roller, for moving said rocking frame to position said pressure roller into working contact with said moistening roller and thereafter operative to rotate both said rollers.

5. A device adapted to moisten an object having a gummed surface, including a moistening roller, a rocking frame, a pressure roller rotatably supported onsaid rocking frame, drive means between said "pressure roller and said moistening roller;for moving said rocking frame toward said moistening roller to position said pressure roller into working contact with said moistening roller and thereafter operative to rotate both said rollers, and restoring means for rocking said frame in the opposite direction to separate said pressure roller from said moistening roller.

6. Ina device ofthe characterdisclosed, a tank adapted to hold a moistening fluid, a rotatable moistening rollerpartiallyimmersed within the moistening fluid in said tank, a guide for positioning an object to be moistened inthe path of said moistening roller, a shaft, a frame rockably carried on said shaft, a pressure roller supported on said frame, a gear secured to the said shaft, a gear in mesh with the first gear and secured to said pressure roller, and means for rocking said shaft, said means and gears being operative upon rocking of said shaft to move said rocking frame toward said moistening roller to position said pressure roller into contact with said moistening roller and being thereafter operative to produce rotation of said pressure roller.

7. Ina device of the character disclosed, a tank adapted to hold a moistening fiuid, a rotatable moistening roller in part immersed within the moistening fluid in said tank, a guide for positioning an object to be moistened in the path of said moistening roller, a'shaft, a frame rockingly carried on said shaft, a pressure roller secured to said frame, a gear secured to the said shaft, a gear in mesh with the first gear and securedto said pressure roller, whereby when the first gearis rotated, the rocking frame is; moved in a direction to cause contact between the pressure roller and the moistening roller and thereafter rotation of said pressure roller; and a further train of gears between the moistening roller and said first gear to produce rotation in the moistening roller in a direction opposite to rotative movement of said pressure ro ller.,

' 8, In a device of the character disclosed,,a tank adapted tohold a, moistening'fluid, a rotatable moistening roller inpartimmersed within the moistening fiuid in said tank, a guide for positioning an object to be moistened in the path of said moistening roller, a'shaft, a frame rockingly carried on said shaft, a pressure roller secured to said frame, a gear secured to the said shaft, a gear in mesh with the first gear and secured to said pressure roller, whereby when the first gear is rotated, the rocking frame is moved in a direction to cause contact between the pressure roller and the moistening roller and thereafter rotation of said pressure roller;' a further train of gears between the moistening roller and said first gear to produce rotation in. the moistening roller in a direction opposite to "rotative movement of said pressure roller, and means for rocking said frame to permit separation between the pressure roller and moistening roller upon stoppage of rotation of said first gear.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a support, a frame movably mounted on said support, a pressure roller rotatably carried by said frame, an operating member secured to said support and movable relative to said frame, and drive means connecting said support and said pressure roller and operative upon movement of said operating member to move said frame toward said moistening roller to bring said pressure roller and said moistening roller into contact and thereafter operaward said moistening roller to bring said pressure roller and said moistening roller into contact and thereafter operative to produce simultaneous rotation of said pressure roller and said moistening roller.

11. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a shaft, a frame supported on said shaft and rockable relative thereto, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rocking said shaft, and drive means connecting said shaft and said pressure roller and operative to rock said frame toward said moistening roller to bring said pressure roller into contact with said moistening roller and thereafter operative to produce rotation of said pressure roller.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a shaft, a frame rockably supported on said shaft, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rocking said shaft and planetary gearing connecting said shaft and said pressure roller, and operative to rock said frame to bring said pressure roller into contact with said moistening roller and thereafter operative, by continued rocking of said shaft, to rotate said pressure roller upon said moistening roller.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a shaft, a support rockably mounted on said shaft, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said support, and drive means comprising means for rocking said shaft, a gear fixed to said shaft and a gear fixed to said pressure roller and engaging said shaft gear, said drive means being operative to rock said support to bring said pressure roller into pressure engagement with said moistening roller and thereafter operative through said gears by continued rocking of the shaft in the same direction to produce rotation of said pressure roller upon said moistening roller. 7

14. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a shaft, a support, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said support, drive means comprising means for rocking said shaft, planetary gearing connecting said shaft and said pressure roller and gearing conmeeting said shaft and said moistening roller, said drive means being operative to rotate said moistening roller and to rock said support to bring said pressure roller into pressure engagement with said moistening roller, and thereafter operative to produce simultaneous rotation of said rollers.

15. A device of the character described comprising a tank for moistening fluid, a roller rotatably mounted and partially immersed in the moistening fluid in the tank, a rockably mounted support, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said support, a rockable operating means, and connections between said operating means and said support and pressure roller for rocking said support upon rocking movement of said operating means to bring said pressure roller into contact with said moistening roller, said connections being thereafter operative, upon continued rocking of said operating means in the same direction, to produce rotation of said pressure roller.

16. A device of the character described, comprising a tank for moistening fluid, a roller rotatably mounted and partially immersed in the moistening fluid in the'tank, a rockably mounted support, a pressure roller rotatably mounted on said support, a rockable operating member, and gearing connecting said operating member and said pressure roller for rocking said support with said operating member to bring said pressure roller into pressure. engagement with said moistening roller and thereafter operative upon continued rocking of said operating member in the same direction to produce rotation of said pressure roller.

17. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a pressure roller, means for supporting said pressure roller, and means for rocking said supporting means toward said moistening roller to bring said pressure roller and said moistening roller into contact, and thereafter operative to produce rotation of said pressure roller.

18. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a pressure roller, means for rockably supporting one of said rollers, and means for rocking said rockably-supported roller toward the other of said rollers to bring said rollers into contact, and thereafter operative to produce rotation of said rockably-supported roller.

19. A-device of the character described comprising a moistening roller, a pressure roller, means for movably supporting one of said rollers, and drive means for rotating the other of said rollers and for moving said movably supported roller into contact with said other roller, and thereafter operative to produce simultaneous rotation of said rollers.

20. A device of the character described, comprising a moistening roller, a pressure roller, means for supporting said pressure roller, and drive means for rotating said moistening roller and for moving said pressure roller into contact with said moistening roller, and thereafter operative to produce simultaneous rotation of said pressure roller and said moistening roller.

' THOMAS I. BROWN. 

